Amnesty International slams RFMF over custody death

Amnesty International has criticised the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) over the death of Jone Vakarisi in its custody.

The international human rights organisation, through its Pacific researcher Kate Schuetze, said expressions of regret from RFMF Commander Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai are insufficient without full accountability.

Amnesty International is a global human rights watchdog that monitors governments and institutions worldwide.

“Statements of regret by the Commander of Fiji’s military are meaningless unless followed by comprehensive and transparent explanations and — where there is sufficient admissible evidence — appropriate criminal charges against those responsible,” Ms Schuetze said.

She also raised concerns about what she described as a “culture of impunity” within the RFMF and questioned the military’s role in policing matters.

In response, the RFMF said it is fully committed to the investigation.

“The RFMF reaffirms its full and unreserved cooperation with Police to ensure that all facts are established in a thorough, independent and transparent manner,” the military said in a statement this week.

Vakarisi died on April 17 at Queen Elizabeth Barracks. Police have since classified his death as murder.

His death certificate lists asphyxia as the cause of death, with multiple blunt force trauma and assault listed as contributing factors.

The RFMF has since acknowledged its initial account was incorrect, saying the earlier description of the incident as a “medical emergency” did not fully reflect the medical findings.

Criminal Investigations Department officers are leading the inquiry, with the RFMF assisting investigators.